Arton in the News

Armand Arton has eight passports. It's a collection fitting for the CEO (or as Arton prefers, "Chief Global Citizen") of a firm that helps ultra-wealthy people purchase second citizenships.

Arton Capital has published its global passport index 2022 rankings of the most powerful passports in the world. It has named the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa the best travel document in the world with visa-free access to over 121 countries. The passport holds a visa-on-arrival facility for 59 countries and requires a visa for 89 countries.

Passport Index released its 2022 Global Passport Power Rank, and Canada landed in the fifth spot along with Singapore, Malta, Lithuania and Slovakia — who all secured an overall mobility score of 170.

The United Arab Emirates is ranked as the world’s number one passport to hold in terms of mobility and freedom from travel restrictions, according to the latest publication of the Passport Index, a global ranking by Montreal-based citizenship financial advisory firm Arton Capital.

Not all passports are created equal. United Arab Emirates passport holders can travel visa-free - or ‘visa-on-arrival’ - to 180 countries. Citizens of Afghanistan can do so to just 38.

The United Arab Emirates, home to oil-rich Abu Dhabi and glitzy Dubai, has a new record to add to its list: the world’s most powerful travel document.

While there’s the fun side of leisure like going to the beach, eating your own weight in ice cream, or sourcing deals in duty-free shops, there’s also the less glamorous side—applying for visas, fighting with your travel companion, and making sure your passport still exists.

For the busiest of business travelers, who regularly find themselves called to fly to a string of countries at short notice, up-to-date information on which countries require visas or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) is essential.

ARTON CAPITAL hosted a reception in the Montenegrin pavilion, which presented the most significant achievements and future of the program of economic and economic importance for Montenegro - the program of economic citizenship.

The UAE passport has now been ranked the most powerful passport in the world, according to the latest Passport Index compiled by Arton Capital. As of the start of October, the UAE passport rose four places to top the global rankings with a score of 152 as the world continues to open up after the coronavirus pandemic. Arton Capital’s latest Passport Index also reveals a 14.8 percent rise in the World Openness Score

Armand Arton, President of Arton Capital, the creators of the Passport Index, said: “To start Q4 with a 14.8 per cent increase in global mobility shows that the world is thankfully opening up once more, and on an encouragingly positive trajectory. We do note, however, that we are still only back to mobility levels first achieved six years ago, so the aftermath of the global shutdown is still very much in play.

A 2016 Wealth-X and Arton Capital report gives insights on the philanthropic trends of ultra high-net-worth people and it shows that they will pass on $3.9 trillion to the next generation over the next decade.

The pandemic affected the ranking of countries in the global passport index, as the index depends on two main factors, which are the number of countries that the passport allows entry to without a travel visa, and the number of visas that can be obtained upon arrival.

Travel restrictions are easing across the globe, which means one thing: It’s time to dust off your long-neglected passport and collect a few new stamps. But, as the global passport rankings reveal, which passport you hold could play a major factor in where you get to travel next. On Tuesday, The Passport Index, the real-time interactive resource for individuals and government agencies seeking information on global mobility, announced its quarter three passport power rankings. According to the company, the United States was one of the biggest gainers in the rankings, jumping 16 spots from 19th place in December 2020 to 3rd place today.

The UAE has the joint third most powerful passport in the world, according to the latest rankings from global outfit The Passport Index. The country, which dropped to 14th at the end of 2020, is now ranked in joint third place worldwide and tops the Q3 2021 passport power rankings in the GCC, where respective passports witnessed drops across the board.

The Passport Index is one of several indices which measure the amount of visa-free world travel. It looks at the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced a high-impact investment programme that aims to position the emirate as one of the most preferred tourism destinations in affordable luxury. Endorsed by the government of Ras Al Khaimah, the new initiative, SelectRAK, is rolled out in partnership with Arton Capital, a government advisory company that focuses on promoting public-private partnerships that energise economies around the world.  

Kiwis may not be travelling very far these days, but that hasn't stopped the passport from rising back to the top of the Passport Index ranking. The little black book joins Germany at the summit. The Passport Index is one of several indices which measure the amount of visa-free world travel. It looks at the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories.

When people consider immigrating to a new country, the most important factors to consider are high levels of safety and security in the country. The other elements to look for are a clean environment, business expansion opportunities, ease of travel, access to high-quality education for children, healthcare facilities for the family, and low or no tax schemes on corporate or personal income.

In the face of travel bans, inadequate healthcare and a dearth of vaccines, wealthy Africans are turning to citizenship and residence by investment programmes (CBI/RBI) as a viable alternative for health, safety, and financial empowerment.

There are many companies which compile indexes of powerful passports highlighting which passports allow the most visa-free access to the most countries. Arton Capital’s Passport Index recently placed Germany as number one.

It's not just their money that makes Kiwi millionaires the envy of the world though. By December, New Zealand's passport had become the third most powerful on the planet when the Passport Index calculated the number of countries it granted visa-free travel to.

Armand Arton has long prophesied the death of the passport in the form of a paper booklet we carry around with us. But its demise is likely to come sooner, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, he says, as the race to create the first global vaccine passport gets underway.

UAE passport holders can enter 167 countries without obtaining a visa prior to arrival, according to Passport Index, a list created by a Montreal-based financial advisory firm Arton Capital.

In fact, Canada came in at number 18 on the list while its southern counterparts trailed behind at number 19, according to Arton Capital's Passport Index.

With the closure of borders, global mobility fell, leading to an all time low in the World Openness Score (WOS).

Now that the coronavirus vaccines are finally rolling out, one of the big debates is who should get them first.

Every year an increasing number of Nigerians flee poverty and unrest at home. Now, rich Nigerians are planning their escape too. And they’re taking their money with them.

SHUAA Capital, the leading asset management and investment banking platform in the region, today announced its new partnership with Arton Capital, the leading global expert advisory specializing in investment-based social impact programs, to encourage foreign direct investment through the establishment of real estate development funds focused on high growth markets.

Dubai investment banking firm Shuaa Capital and financial advisory firm Arton Capital are launching a €100 million (Dh436m) real estate investment fund for investors looking for a second residency or citizenship programme.

Kompanija SHUAA Capital, vodeća platforma za upravljanje imovinom i investiciono bankarstvo u ovom regionu, danas je najavila novo partnerstvo sa Arton Capital, globalnom ekspertskom kompanijom specijalizovanom za programe društvenog uticaja zasnovanog na ulaganjima, kako bi se uspostavljanjem fondova za razvoj nekretnina čiji je fokus na tržištima s visokim rastom podstakle direktne strane investicije.

SHUAA Capital, the leading asset management and investment banking platform in the region, today announced its new partnership with Arton Capital, the leading global expert advisory specializing in investment-based social impact programs, to encourage foreign direct investment through the establishment of real estate development funds focused on high growth markets.

Partnership with Arton Capital announced as the number of countries attracting foreign investments through Citizenship by Investment programs has continued to rise.

SHUAA Capital psc (DFM: SHUAA), the leading asset management and investment banking platform in the region, today announced its new partnership with Arton Capital, the leading global expert advisory specializing in investment-based social impact programs, to encourage foreign direct investment through the establishment of real estate development funds focused on high growth markets.

Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital, added: "This innovative initiative is unprecedented in our industry, and we are thrilled to partner with SHUAA, a leader in asset management and investment banking.

The number of American doctors yearning for such a move, recruitment firms in the US and New Zealand say, has increased substantially since the Covid-19 pandemic. With their skills in demand they are among the few professions able to obtain entry to a country whose passport – according to an index this month – is the most powerful in the world.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, New Zealand has managed to secure a global spot and has taken apposite measures to keep its citizens safe, thereby emerging as a strong and competitive global player.

The Japanese government is likely to end a travel advisory and remove a ban on arrivals from 12 countries, including South Korea, as early as next month. While that won’t immediately pave the way for visa-free travel, it will streamline immigration procedures by waiving the mandatory two-week quarantine under certain conditions.

Arton Capital's Passport Index is updated in real time as new visa waivers and changes are implemented across the world amid COVID-19 travel bans. Taking into account the recent EU travel restrictions and other coronavirus-related border closures, Arton Capital has released the most powerful passports of the world as per their mobility score. The Henley Passport Index had put Japan's passport at the top of its list released in July, however, Arton Capital’s Passport Index has a new number where one can get visa-free or visa-upon-arrival access to 129 destinations. Here are the most powerful passports in the world.

Although the Grand Duchy is still part of the risk zone of some countries and its citizens are subject to travel restrictions linked to the covid-19, the country continues to have one of the most powerful passports in the world.

The Passport Index released the latest real-time global ranking of the world’s powerful passports of 193 members countries of the United Nations (UN) based on their mobility rate.

New Zealanders should be proud as their country's passport has been named the world’s most powerful in a new ranking, which considers openness of travel between countries.

New Zealanders should be proud as their country's passport has been named the world’s most powerful in a new ranking. According to real-time global ranking tool The Passport Index, New Zealand passport overpowers 192 other passports of United Nation countries.

Il passaporto neozelandese è salito al primo posto nel Passport Index, un indice interattivo di classificazione dei passaporti che confronta la "potenza" dei passaporti di 193 paesi membri delle Nazioni Unite e sei territori, ovvero le possibilità di accesso che offrono in tutto il mondo

New Zealand’s passport is now the most powerful in the world, according to the latest Global Passport Index compiled by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital. The index ranks each country’s passport based on its “mobility score” — i.e., the number of countries the passport grants access to — and New Zealand’s has recently edged ahead with 129, after Australia agreed to reopen travel with the country earlier this month.

The Passport Index has yet again revealed the ranking of all the passports of the nations across the world. This index ranks passports according to the number of countries their holders can visit without applying for a visa. It looks at the passports of 193 United Nations members and six territories.

The Passport Index investigates the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories. The New Zealand passport currently has visa-free access or visa on entry to 129 countries. That’s up from 80 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic earlier in the year, but less than the total of 169 in 2019.

The Passport Index ranked the 193 United Nations member countries based on how many nations their passports granted visa-free access to, or allowed visitors to obtain a visa on arrival.

A New Zealand passport is the most powerful in the world, according to a new global passport ranking. The Passport Index ranks passports based on where citizens who hold them can travel. This includes looking at where they can travel visa-free, or where tourist visas apply.

In a year full of travel misery and Covid chaos, there is one ironic bright spot - the New Zealand passport is now the world’s most powerful according to one visa index.

Financial services firm, Arton Capital, through its Passport Index, has launched new functionalities including dashboards to help people navigate the travel chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

La crise sanitaire du covid-19 bouleverse le classement annuel du «Passport Index». Désormais, le Grand-Duché se trouve en première position aux côtés notamment de la Belgique.

Der deutsche Reisepass gehört wieder zu den wertvollsten der Welt. Den ersten Platz teilt sich Deutschland mit fünf weiteren europäischen Ländern. Die USA sind hingegen dramatisch abgestürzt, ebenso wie der Vorjahressieger.

Ces décisions drastiques ont bouleversé les possibilités de voyages à l'international. Cela se voit dans le classement des « passeports les plus puissants », mis à jour en temps réel par le site « Passport Index », qui a été chamboulé en quelques mois.

La crise sanitaire du Covid-19 bouleverse le classement annuel du « Passport Index ». Le passeport français est en deuxième position.

The new ‘Passport Index’ was published. It ranks passports from as many as 199 countries and territories on the basis on how many countries their holders can freely enter, how many of them will easily grant them visas at their borders, and how many require visas in advance. Then of course, there are passports that make trips to certain countries impossible.

As the global population movement was greatly restricted due to the aftermath of the novel coronavirus, the influence of passports by country also changed significantly. It turns out that fewer than 50 countries can be visited by US passport holders without a visa, and only 8 countries can be visited without a visa with a North Korean passport. This is Taek-Sung Oh.

Passport Index, 2020 yılı eylül ayında koronavirüs salgını sonrasında dünyanın en güçlü pasaportları listesini güncelledi. Listede ülkelerin hangi ülkelere seyahat yasağı koyduğu da sıralandı.

No one on earth has been spared from more restrictive international travel. The number of countries that could be traveled to visa-free on any given passport to fell 33% globally because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But US citizens took the biggest hit, according to the Passport Index.

A stack of international passports all issued to the same person might seem unusual, but it’s really just where the future of travel is headed, according to one expert.

For Americans right now, traveling is harder than ever before — they aren’t welcome in the majority of the world’s countries because of the U.S. response to the outbreak. As a result, the U.S. passport ranking has fallen 50% in the last year, down from the no. 3 spot to the no. 19 spot in the Passport Index.

“The American passport was always in the top five passports over the last five years,” Armand Arton, founder of Passport Index, told Yahoo Money. Pre-pandemic, an American passport holder could access 70% of the world’s countries without a visa.

The other major ranking of passport power, the Passport Index, offers a snazzy interactive tool launched in 2015 by the financial advisory group Arton Capital.

The New Zealand passport is now the most valuable travel document in the world according to recent ranking by the Passport Index. However this top positioning comes amid general travel chaos, as the coronavirus pandemic closes borders around the world.

The Passport Index’s power ranking of 200 of the world’s passports is similar but different from the Henley Passport Index, which named Japan’s passport the world’s most powerful in its latest quarterly ranking.

Secondary passports are in high demand, especially those granting visa-free travel to the US and Europe, as the coronavirus makes globe-trotting more difficult

This has been the year a virus shut down our globalized lives. In the first half of 2020, governments around the world imposed entry restrictions or strict quarantine procedures; flight traffic fell to its lowest level in decades.

Watch SkyNews interview with Passport Index Founder, Armand Arton, who discusses how the global pandemic affected global mobility and where the future of travel will lead.

Habila Malgwi of Arton Capital says it has agents in 15 African countries and plans to open an office on the continent “very, very soon”. Covid-19 has led to soaring interest. People, he says, are looking for a Plan b.

More than twenty years on from the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigerians have more to celebrate than just the restoration of their democratic rights this Democracy Day. The Passport Index by Arton Capital has declared, in this year’s rankings, that Nigeria is the joint ‘most open’ country in the world.

Here are countries that provide second citizenships through investments using brokers such as Arton Capital.Philippe May, managing director of Arton Capital, has also experienced the spike in interests from potential clients. “Many new clients have been thinking about a second citizenship for quite a while. Some want more mobility through visa exemptions, others want to protect their assets or reduce tax. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of adoption of second citizenship by many wealthy individuals.

México ocupa el lugar 58 de 199 en el conteo mundial de los pasaportes más poderosos, de acuerdo con el 2020 Passport Index, de Nomad Capitalist, cuyos puntajes varían según su calificación en los diferentes sectores.

More people than ever will set up their pandemic «Plan B» to have options for when the next lockdown may pose them and their families at risk, Arton Capital's Head of Asia, Philippe May, says.

The current burgundy design is being replaced, following the UK's departure from the European Union. Blue passports were introduced in 1921 and phased out after 1988 when members of the then European Economic Community agreed to harmonise designs. According to the Passport Index , 81 countries have blue passports, including Australia, the United States, Canada, India and Hong Kong.

Arton Capital has published its latest Passport Index – a system that ranks travel documents by the number of countries that can be visited without having to apply for a visa.

The UAE has been named the best passport of the decade, beating top ranking countries such as Germany, Finland, Luxembourg and Spain. according to the latest report by the Global Passport Index.

Arton Capital's real-time global ranking of passports examines the Global Mobility Scores of passports from all over the world. The firm has published data looking back at passport power over the past decade, examining which are the most powerful passports, which passports are the fastest growing ones, including those of nations offering citizenship-by-investment programmes (CBI).

The UAE has emerged as having the “greatest passport” of the last decade, according to new listings released by Passport Index, which ranks global passports.

The Passport Index, created by Arton Capital, released a list of which passports were the most powerful in 2019, and the Canadian passport landed a spot in the top five.

The man from a family of refugees has an idea how rich migrants can be persuaded to help the huddle masses forced to flee their countries every year. That’s the view of Armand Arton, President of Arton Capital and YPO member who deals in citizenship linked to investments for wealthy migrants.

Arton Capital, a provider of residency and citizenship solutions, has released its latest Passport Index – a system that ranks travel documents by the number of countries that can be visited without having to apply for a visa.

A new service that provides the opportunity for individuals or families to be a part of the ‘Global Citizen’ was introduced to Cambodians at an event last Saturday. The service, provided by Arton Capital, is meant to shine a light on the perks of investing in a second residency and a global passport.

Philippe May, managing director and head of Asia Pacific for Arton Capital, discusses the uptick in wealthy Hong Kong citizens seeking new passports due to the violent protests. He speaks on “Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia.”

With the most powerful passport in the world according to the Arton Capital Passport Index, Emiratis can now travel to 117 countries without visas, thanks to the recent additions of eight new countries, adding to the initial list.

Greece’s passport has been named as one of the most powerful in the world, as the recent Passport Index released by Arton Capital ranked it among the world’s top four strongest.

According to Arton Capital's Passport Index [Global Passport Power Rank 2019], the UAE passport holds the first position globally, as its holder can travel to 176 countries around the world, with 117 destinations offering visa-free travel and 59 offering e-visa or visa on arrival at the airport.

In 2017, the Global Passport Index made a study about the ranking of the best passports in the world. Due to the Economic Community of West African States - ECOWAS, some African countries were among the most important ranked countries.

Beyond status, there are also physical advantages to owning more than one passport. Armand Arton, the president of Arton Capital, previously told Business Insider that investors primarily seek increased global mobility, better security and education, diversified business opportunities and tax-planning strategies, and an improved quality of life.

The exhibitor profile includes some of the biggest names within the local, regional and international segment including Aldar Properties, this year’s Principal Sponsor, Arada Development LLC, Architecture & Planning Group (APG), Arton Capital, Top Capital Investment, MSQ Property and the prestigious Aston Martin Residence.

If you still haven't zeroed in on the destination you'd like to explore when you head out this summer, remember this: your Indian passport will grant you visa-free entry into 25 countries, and visa-on-arrival to 39 more nations across the globe. The 2019 Passport Index, which ranks passports of 199 countries on the basis of their VFS and their ranking on the UNDP Human Development Index, show the Indian passport has steadily strengthened over the past five years, jumping ranks from 77 in 2015, to 67 in 2019. It was 68 last year.

According to the latest Arton Capital Passport Index (APCI), an online tool which collects and displays the ranks of passports of the world, India has jumped to the 66th rank on the list from 77th in 2015. The ranking to various passports is given on the basis “Visa Free” status accorded to passport holders of a specified country and other parameters.

PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 14 (SeeNews) - Montenegro's government has hired citizenship and residency advisory firm Arton Capital as authorised partner for its new Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), the company said.

The Yong President Organisation is the largest CEO leadership organisation in the world and for the second time- is holding its YPO edge event in Cape Town. Arton Capital is a global financial advisory firm, specializing in Investor Programs for Residence and Citizenship around the world and also owns the passport index and its President, Armand Arton joins CNBC Africa to discuss the business of globalisation against the rising sentiments of anti-globalisation.

Grand Hyatt Manila has truly cemented itself as the go-to venue for every occasion as Arton Capital and EnterPH launched a new partnership in Bonifacio Global City’s five-star luxury hotel. The new joint venture will allow Filipinos to engage in investment programs for second residency and citizenship-by-investments in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Arton Capital ranks passports by the number of countries one can visit without obtaining a visa.

Armand Arton discussing residency and citizenship by investment opportunities with Daniela Laurel and Charles Lejano on Bloomberg TV Philippines – One News.

Armand Arton discussing residency and citizenship by investment opportunities with Michelle Krystle Ong on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in Manila, the Philippines.

Arton Capital’s Global Citizen Series are focused events exploring the latest developments and opportunities in Global Residence and Citizenship Planning. Join the next business breakfast.

According to Passport Index, a global survey that ranks how powerful passports are from each country in the world, Canada has maintained its ranking and remains in the top five passports globally.

Armand Arton is the founder and president of Arton Capital, a Canadian advisory firm with offices in Dubai. Arton Capital issues The Passport Index.

India is ranked 67th as on 22 December, 2018 with a Visa Free Score of 65 in the Arton Capital Passport Index this December, according to a statement placed by General V.K. Singh, minister of state for external affairs before the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.

The UAE passport has climbed one more spot in the global ranking of travel documents, making it the eighth most powerful in the world. The latest update of the Passport Index showed that Emirati citizens can now fly to 158 countries without securing a visa prior to departure, further strengthening the UAE’s position in the world’s top 10 strongest passports.

On Thursday, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said in a tweet: “the UAE passport has ranked at 9th position in the Global Passport Index, and now citizens can enter 157 countries without a prior visa.”As per the current index, UAE citizens can travel to 112 countries without visas and in 45 countries, they can get visa on arrival, which makes a total of 157 countries where prior visas are not required for UAE nationals.

Singapore can be celebrated for more than its role in the hit film Crazy Rich Asians — its passport is now the most powerful in the world. Its ranking was determined by Passport Index, an online tool that collects data from 193 United Nations member countries and six territories to compile an ever-changing list of the world’s most powerful passports.

Becoming a global citizen has become a status symbol for the world's elite, Armand Arton, president of Arton Capital, a global financial advisory firm that specializes in investor programs for residence and citizenship, told Business Insider.

The agreement with Russia has taken UAE's visa-free score to 155, while Russia has a visa-free score of 115, according to the Arton Capital Passport Index.

Arton Capital, a global financial advisory firm, released the 2018 Passport Index to determine the strongest passports in the world.

Arton Capital is among new sponsors to Antigua’s carnival, pictured here is Festivals Minister Daryll Mathew with a representative from the company.

We are in the middle of the European migrant season, and once again Europe’s politicians offer no plausible solution.

The Global Leaders Forum, which was organized by Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East and took place in Dubai on April 3, attracted some 200 high profile executives and officials.

Access to this international space though remains highly unequal for different individuals. Among South Asian countries, India, ranked at 72 by Passport Index, has the greatest international mobility with visa-free access to 54 countries.

THE blue passport to be issued after Brexit is a statement of British independence from the European Union. These pictures show passports through the ages, from black to burgundy, and flimsy paper to today’s high tech secure designs.

With the value of an Irish passport set to overtake that of Great Britain after Brexit, The National's travel editor writes on the benefits dual nationality

Malaysian international passport is in the top six of most powerful passports in the world based on the 2018 Passport Index developed by global financial advisory firm, Arton Capital.

According to a global survey released on Tuesday, the Canadian passport strengthened modestly against its travel document rivals last year.

Three Dubai-based women are making a difference to kids' lives with The Amal Project

The most powerful passport in the world has been revealed, and the country it is from will surprise you.

This month Bulgaria has taken over the European Union’s rotating 6-month presidency. This comes as a reminder to some that in the EU all members are legally equal.

Passport Index recently released the list of most powerful passports in 2018, and Germany, with a score of 161, was placed first, followed by Sweden and Singapore, both placed second with 160 points.

Arton Capital, a provider of residency and citizenship solutions, has updated its Passport Index – a system that ranks travel documents by the number of countries that can be visited without having to apply for a visa.

According to Arton Capital's latest ranking, the UAE passport is ranked 26th globally with a visa-free score of 126. The UAE and China have signed a memorandum of understanding to exempt Emiratis from obtaining pre-entry visas to visit the country as a tourist. Starting from January 16, 2018, UAE citizens can visit China without getting a pre-entry visa and stay for up to 30 days per visit, state news agency WAM reported.

Not only has the global view of the U.S. declined, but the power of passports has also plummeted under the president. The U.S. fell behind 18 countries for global mobility, according to international finance company Arton Capital.

When it comes to global travel, not all passports are created equal. But which one rules them all? According to the Passport Index, that honor now belongs solely to Singapore thanks to a recent decision by Paraguay to remove visa requirements for passport holders of the Asian city-state.

Germany has the most powerful passport in Europe, while those of Bulgaria and Romania are the least valuable in the EU in terms of visa-free access around the world, a study has revealed.

Citizens of Singapore now hold the most powerful passport in the world, according to the latest Global Passport Index rankings. The tropical island-nation with a population of 5.6 million is the first-ever Asian country to top the list.

American passports have now fallen behind those of 18 countries in terms of global mobility—a staggering collapse from only two years ago, according to a survey released Wednesday.

According to the Passport Index, that honor now belongs solely to Singapore thanks to a recent decision by Paraguay to remove visa requirements for passport holders of the Asian city-state.

Citizens of Singapore now hold onto the most powerful passport in the world, signaling the Asia-Pacific's desire to facilitate open trade, travel and policy as Western nations pull back.

If you're a Canadian who plans on travelling this summer, the world is still your oyster. The country's passport continues to be one of the world's most powerful. Arton Capital's Passport Index ranks Canada at number five, tied with Malaysia and Ireland, with a visa-free score of 154.

Whether you seek to explore distant lands, or you just want to sit on a remote island beach with a margarita, your passport can be your biggest travel asset. The right document grants you visa-free access to over 150+ countries, and makes applying for entry to the other places a short and easy afterthought.

Contrario a lo que ocurre con naciones de la región como República Dominicana y Haití y superando a vecinos como El Salvador, Guatemala y Nicaragua, Honduras es un país cuyos ciudadanos tienen menos restricciones de visado para viajar alrededor del mundo.

Charles Winshaw (Pty) Ltd has signed terms of business with Arton Capital, which recently opened its doors in South Africa. This development came about because Charles Winshaw (Pty) Ltd has evolved from an international investment specialist company to one that creates family legacies.

These stark differences are revealed in the Passport Index , which ranks countries based on the number of nations where residents can go without purchasing a visa in advance or on arrival. The global financial advisory firm Arton Capital compiled government data from 193 countries and six territories to create the 2017 ranking.

Ahmed Saeed Elham Al Dhaheri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Consular Affairs at the ministry, said that the ranking of the UAE passport as the first Arab passport and 22nd globally, according to Arton Capital Passport Index 2017, "is one of the most important achievements of the UAE diplomacy led, by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

Arton Capital, one of the oldest companies of the industry, facilitates citizenship primarily in Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean region. Armand Arton, President of Arton Capital had to add, “It has been a privilege for us to participate in the Citizenship by Investment Exhibition.

UKRAINE’S PASSPORT NOW MORE POWERFUL THAN RUSSIA’S: With Ukrainians now able to travel visa-free to the EU for 90 days or less, Passport Index says Ukraine’s passport power will jump to 32nd place from 50th worldwide. Ukrainians have visa-free access to 109 countries, whereas Russians have access to 106.

Nombre de pays où le passeport canadien permet d'entrer sans demander de visa supplémentaire, selon la compilation réalisée par le site Passport Index (passportindex.org). Le Canada se classe ainsi au 5e rang des pays dont le passeport est le plus avantageux. L'Allemagne et Singapour sont au sommet du palmarès, avec 159 entrées sans visa, alors que celui de l'Afghanistan n'en permet que 24.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Hovhannes Azizyan on May 29 held a meeting with President of Arton Capital's company Armand Arton, Vice-President on Business Development Emil Shahmooradian, as well as a number of representatives of company's expert group, the Ministry told Armenpress. They arrived in Armenia at the invitation of International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) which carries out Support to Migration and Border Management EU-funded project in Armenia.

Today, U.S. State Department statistics report 18.6 million passports issued in 2016–the highest annual number on record. The popular online search tool Passport Index offers up ways of comparing passports via interactive tools reminiscent of fantasy football scoreboards.

If you have citizenship in Sweden, you have a great deal of traveling power — Swedes can fly to 158 countries without ever showing a visa. This makes international travel cheaper and easier than it is for citizens of many other countries, like those of Afghanistan, who can enter just 23 countries without a visa.

As president of Arton Capital, the self-described “ambassador of the global citizen movement” helps moneyed individuals — including an increasing number from the Middle East — gain citizenship elsewhere and the all-important second passport that can bring.

It is heartening to read that the Singapore passport is ranked so highly (Singapore, Germany passports tie as most powerful passports in the world: Passport Index; April 19, online). Singaporeans should be proud of this.

Philippe May, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific interviewed by Rico Hizon of BBC World in Singapore.

Philippe May, Managing Director at Arton Capital is interviewed by Rhod Sharp of the BBC regarding Passport Index and Citizenship by Investment programs.

Arton Capital, an advisory firm that helps wealthy individuals acquire second passports and residencies recently released its index of the most powerful passports in the world.

The Passport Index is developed by Arton Capital, a financial advisory firm specialising in investor programmes for residence and citizenship.

Holders of the Singapore passport can now get visa-on-arrival in Ukraine for up to 15 days, upping the Republic's score by one to 159, Arton Capital said in a press release on Tuesday (April 18).

Singapore has tied with Germany as the country with the most powerful passport in the world after a change in Ukraine's visa rules, according to a passport index by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital.

Arton Capital, a financial advisory firm specialising in investor programmes for residence and citizenship, ranked the Emirati passport 28th in the world, with a score of 125. Removing the obstacle of citizens having to ­obtain a visa would help to improve political, economic, social and cultural ties with countries, Mr Al Daheri said.

Passport Index, which ranks the world's passports each year to identify which are the most powerful, released their most recent rankings in January. Several countries tie each other in the global access they provide their passport holders, so to get into the top 25, a country must rank at least as the sixth most powerful.

Passport Index recently released the list of most powerful passports in 2017, and Germany, with a score of 159, was placed first, followed by Sweden and Singapore, both placed second with 158 points.

Los pasaportes son, básicamente, de cuatro colores: rojo, azul, verde o negro, con decenas de matices dentro de cada tonalidad pero por lo general son siempre de tonos oscuros, lo que le da al documento un aspecto más formal. Esto se puede comprobar en el portal Passport Index, donde tienen fotos de los pasaportes de todos los países del mundo.

Passport Index, which ranks the world's passports each year to identify which are the most powerful, released their most recent rankings in January. Several countries tie each other in the global access they provide their passport holders, so to get into the top 25, a country must rank at least as the sixth most powerful.

That itself is an indication of the real effect of Brexit on Britain’s passport. Arton Capital, a financial firm that runs the Passport Index, once ranked the British passport as jointly the third most powerful in the world. However, the firm has warned that once Britain leaves the EU, it could drop to 26th place, just behind Mexico, unless new agreements are reached.

The shade of each national passport is derived from just four main colours: red, green, blue or black, according to Hrant Boghossian, the vice president of Arton Group, which runs the interactive passport database Passport Index. The passport books for countries within the European Union (EU) tend to be burgundy, while those from Caricom (Caribbean Community and Common Market) states use blue, which could be for geographical or political reasons. "Some could argue that the burgundy red is due to a past communist history," said Mr Boghossian, and that blue passports may be symbolic of the New World for countries in North America, South America and Oceania. "The passport of Turkey has changed to burgundy as it hopes to join the EU," he also claimed.

Comme tout passionné de voyages le sait, les passeports sont la clé pour l'aventure. Il s'agit là du Graal à avoir toujours sur vous pour découvrir toutes les merveilles du monde mais la nationalité de votre passeport peut avoir un effet majeur sur vos plans et sur la durée de vos voyages à l'étranger. Pour pouvoir vous faire une petite idée, nous nous sommes plongés dans le classement officiel en 2017 qui vous fera découvrir la puissance de votre passeport au niveau international. Le facteur le plus important qui peut déterminer la force de votre passeport est la possibilité d'obtenir un visa libre d'accès.

If you are the holder of a Luxembourg passport, its power rank for 2017 is fourth place together with eight other countries, according to a new report. The new edition of “Passport Index” shows that Luxembourg has climbed four places in the “World Openness Score” from last year to fourth in 2017, scoring as total of 157 points. The Grand Duchy shares its position with Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, South Korea and USA.

Red, blue, green or black; the colour of your passport says a surprising amount about your home nation, according to the Passport Index. Though the shade may vary, a passport can tell you something about economic blocks, religion and even history.

To which country would you most likely want to have citizenship, in order to travel the world most freely? If you're looking to expand your global citizenship, it's might be wise to consider the recently published 2017 Passport Index, ranking the world's passports in terms of their power.

Shades of red, green, blue and black are the four colours that dominate the universe of passports--and not without good reason. As per a report by Business Insider a certain Hrant Boghossian has some reasons to attribute to the choice of passport colours. The Vice President of Marketing at Arton Capital--a firm that headlines "interactive passport database, Passport Index," believes that while essentially the colours are limited, nations experiment with the hues of these four primary shades that can be attributed to "many possible scenarios."

Segundo o ranking do site Global Passport, o passaporte brasileiro está entre os mais poderosos do mundo. Para estabelecer o ranking, é levado em consideração o número de países em que o titular pode viajar sem visto, o que, no caso dos brasileiros, é de 143 nações ao redor do mundo. Com isso, nosso documento é considerado o 14º mais poderoso do mundo.

So, you thought your passport was only about the shade of colour outside and the number of stamps inside? Think again, because here, we have the latest ranking of the world's most powerful passports. How is a passport's power measured, you ask? By the number of countries you can travel on your passport, without a visa.

The Passport Index is constantly updating its list of passports and where they can take you. So how powerful is yours? Huffington Post reports that Germany is, right now, the best passport to hold if you want to travel the world, letting you visit 158 countries without applying for a visa.

Not all passports are created equal, and this global ranking proves it in real time. According to the Passport Index, which is constantly updated based on changing country entry requirements, travelers with a German passport can currently visit the most countries (158) without applying for a visa. Travelers from Afghanistan, meanwhile, can visit just 23.

The tit-for-tat passport wars between the European Union and the United States caught fire last week when the EU Parliament voted to impose restrictions on US visitors. The EU is angry that the US still has not introduced the US Visa Waiver scheme for citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland and Romania.

Germans turn out to have the most powerful passport that grants the owner a visa-free or visa-on-arrival welcome in 157 countries worldwide. According to the latest PassportIndex.Org data, Singapore overtook South Korea to take the second place with a visa-free score of 156, becoming the highest-ranked Asian passport. South Korea fell to sixth place (152) while Japan rose to fourth place, tied with European countries such as Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and others whose visa-free score reached 154.

Each nation has been listed according to its visa rules for other countries around the world. According to the index, the UK is more welcoming than Russia and China, but less welcoming than countries like Malta and Turkey.

The ease with which a person can travel to another country depends on their passport. Some countries are more forthcoming in letting visitors in than others. For instance, anyone with a passport can visit Cambodia, which offers visas or visas on arrival to all. Travelling to Turkmenistan, on the other hand, will prove to be quite difficult for most. All passport holders need to apply for a visa before making a trip. The Passport Index explores how welcoming each nation is, based on the number of countries they accept visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

Arton Capital, which specializes in 12 investor visa programs around the world, said January was a very busy month. The firm saw inquiries handled by their Dubai office increase by 200% compared with the same time last year. It expects February numbers to be even higher. "There are only 12 of us here in Dubai and we are inundated every day with inquiries, particularly from people from this region," said John Hanafin, CEO of Arton Capital.

The New Year has come with good news for Cyprus, as the Cypriot passport appears to be among the strongest in the world. According to the latest Passport Index, (updated on January 4), it has achieved a Passport Power Rank of 13, an Individual Power Rank of 37 and an impressive visa-free score of 144. Armand Arton, Chairman of Arton Capital, the global financial advisory firm specialising in residence programmes and citizenship, spoke to Gold about the reasons behind Cyprus’ recent achievement, analysing how foreign investors can obtain Cypriot citizenship and explaining why not all EU passports are equally attractive.

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة (CNN)-- احتل جواز السفر الألماني المرتبة الأولى على قائمة تصنيف "قوة" جوازات السفر العالمية، للعام الثاني على التوالي، فيما حلّت الإمارات العربية المتحدة في المرتبة الـ28، ليصبح جوازها الأقوى عربياً، وفقاً لمؤشر جوازات السفر الذي نشره الموقع التابع لمؤسسة "أرتون كابيتال".

In the latest 2017 rankings by passportindex.org, the British Passport was ranked as the 10th most powerful passport. It allows UK nationals access to 156 countries without obtaining a visa beforehand. But which countries can Brits travel to without worrying about filling in forms and paying additional fees for travel documents?

Wie bestimmt man, welches der 198 Länder dieser Welt den besten Pass hat? Laut dem von Arton Capital herausgegebenen Passport-Index lässt sich der Wert eines Passes mit der Anzahl Länder bemessen, die man mit dem entsprechenden Pass visafrei bereisen kann.

The Indian passport has been ranked 78 in a global ranking of the world's most powerful passports. Germany stands at the top with a visa-free score of 157, while Singapore overtakes South Korea and becomes the highest ranked Asian passport with a visa-free score of 156.

Cyprus’ controversial citizenship-for-sale scheme will ultimately cause a drop in property prices and lead to stricter EU oversight for citizenship requirements, property experts have warned. Two months after the notorious ‘haircut’ Eurogroup decisions of March 2013, the scrambling government rolled out a citizenship-for-investment programme, which aimed to ease the pain of wealthy foreign depositors who saw millions of their money converted into equity, and to bring in desperately needed cash in the short-term.

Verontwaardiging, demonstraties, rechtszaken en felle debatten in allerlei parlementen over de hele wereld. Het tijdelijke inreisverbod voor reizigers uit zeven overwegend islamitische landen in de VS, houdt de gemoederen al dagen bezig. Maar het is niet de eerste keer dat een land het inreisverbod inzet als strijdmiddel.

The latest passport Index is based on cross-border access of national passports. It assigns a "visa-free score" according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival. The index was released by passportindex.org and saw Germany take first place with a visa-free score of 158, closely followed by Singapore and Sweden which were both ranked second with a visa-free score of 157.

According to global advisory firm Arton Capital's latest Passport Index, South Africa's passport is the most valuable on the African continent, with a score of 90, which ranks it 49th in the table, followed by Botswana with a score of 69, Lesotho with a score of 66 and Malawi with a score of 65. Whilst South Africa is ranked the most valuable passport in Africa it should be noted that its passport is less valuable than countries such as the Russian Federation and Albania

A news report last week said Thailand fell two points in the so-called passport index which is based on how easily citizens of a country can travel without the need for a visa. With the drop, Thai passport power has shrunk a bit further.

It is often difficult for African passport holders to travel to diverse regions in the world including within Africa. One of the many reasons the African Union is proposing visa-free travel requirements within Africa..

Passport Index presented its Global Passport Power Rank 2017 which basically ranks passports of the world according to their total visa-free score. The study included 199 countries. The country with the best passport in the world is Germany, holders of a German passport can visit 158 countries without the need of a Visa or getting the Visa upon arrival. Sweden and Singapore tied in second place; these passports will give you entry to 157 countries.

A worldwide ranking of passports, which places Singapore's travel document second, attests to the travelling power that its citizens enjoy. The 2017 Passport Index, compiled by financial advisory firm Arton Capital, has Singapore in joint second place with Sweden, after Germany in the top spot. The index uses a realistic method of calculating a passport's strength by focusing on its visa-free reach.

You have good reason to be proud when producing the red passbook at immigration points around the world. Singapore passport is the second most accepted in the world, according to the latest Passport Index, which ranks passports of the world according to their visa-free score. Singapore has jumped remarkably from the fifth position for the past three consecutive years in another survey to nearly Number 1 position in the latest ranking by Arton Capital.

The Germans have the best traveling privileges in the world because Germany was recently named to have the world's strongest passport. The ranking is based on how many countries Germany is allowed to travel to without the need for a visa. The Daily Mail reported that Germany topped the rankings for the strongest passport in the world followed by Sweden and Singapore at 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Germany is allowed to travel visa-free to 158 countries all over the world.

Singaporean passports have been ranked the most powerful passports in Asia and world's second-most "powerful" passport, according to a worldwide ranking for passports. Singapore has overtaken South Korea and has become the highest ranked Asian passport with a visa-free score of 157.

Holders of Seychelles’ passport have the most powerful passport in Africa, a 2017 travel ranking reports. According to the Passportindex.org, Seychellois nationals can visit 96 countries visa-free and 30 with issuance of a visa on arrival, bringing the total to 126. Mauritius is second in Africa with 118 countries, and South Africa in third place with a visa-free score of 90.

Germany has the most powerful passport in the world, according to the results of a 2017 travel ranking. Coming a close second is Sweden, followed by Singapore, which overtook South Korea as the most powerful in Asia this year. The UK narrowly made it into the top 10, beating the USA by just three countries. The latest ranking, released by Passportindex.org, takes into account the number of visa-free regions and countries that a passport has access to.

Avid travellers will know that the process of getting a visa to visit another country can be tedious. But for passport-holders from certain countries, needing a visa is a rare occurrence. Germany has come out on top of the Global Passport Power Rank 2017, created by Arton Capital. The list ranks countries based on how many other destinations its passport-holders can visit without a visa, or with the ability to receive a visa on arrival. Germans can visit a total of 158 countries, according to the ranking, followed closely by passport-holders from Sweden and Singapore, who can visit 157.

A lot has been said recently about the Citizenship and Investment Programs run by five Caribbean countries that allows non-nationals to invest as little as US 150,000 and secure passports there. But what power do these Caribbean passports hold? Here are the most “powerful” Caribbean passports ranked by their total visa-free score according to the latest Global Passport Index. Visa-free score represents the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.

German travellers hold the world’s strongest passport and can visit the most countries without needing to apply for a visa, according to a newly-updated travel index. A total of 157 countries offer Germans either visa-free access or a visa on arrival, making citizens of the central European nation the most privileged passport holders on the planet. The power of the German passport is followed closely by travel documents issued in Sweden and Singapore, which enjoy joint second place in the ‘passport power rank’ compiled by Arton Capital's Passport Index.

Citizens from Europe continue to enjoy a great deal of travelling power, with their passports enabling them to fly to more than 100 countries around the world without applying for a visa in advance, according to the latest Passport Index released this weekend. The annual study by Arton Capital ranked Germany as the most powerful in the world, enabling passport holders to visit 157 destinations with ease as of 2017.

The Indian passport has been ranked 78 in a global ranking of the world’s most powerful passports. Germany stands at the top with a visa-free score of 157, while Singapore overtakes South Korea and becomes the highest ranked Asian passport with a visa-free score of 156. India stands at 78th position with a visa-free score of 46. While Pakistan and China rank 94 and 66 respectively.

Global mobility to travel without visas and visit a new country saw an upswing from last year -- but it won't last as restrictions loom from Brexit to U.S. immigration curbs and wider anti-globalization sentiment, global advisory firm Arton Capital said. World Openness Scores from the Passport Index that measure the number of visa-free entry among 199 nations increased to 17,954 at the start of 2017 from 17,928 in 2016.

Germans hold the world's most powerful passport with a visa-free score of 157, according to a Passport Index drawn up by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital. The index, which was updated last week, saw Singapore and Sweden taking the second spot with a visa-free score of 156. Singapore knocked off South Korea to become the highest-ranked Asian passport, Arton Capital said.

Republic of China (ROC) passports ranked 28th in the world according to the Passport Index created by financial advisory firm Arton Capital, reflecting the same ranking for Taiwan in 2016. The index's visa-free score represents the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with a visa on arrival. ROC passport holders can visit 119 countries around the world without having to obtain a visa in advance, an increase of 10 countries from last year.

Singaporeans already have one of the best airports in the world. Now they have one of the best passports, too. In a recent ranking of the world’s most powerful passports, Singapore placed behind only Germany, joining Sweden in a tie for second place. The city-state beat all other Asian nations, including South Korea, which it overtook this year. Last year Singapore was in fourth place, South Korea in second.

Canada has tied for fifth place on a global survey that ranks how powerful passports are from each country in the world. What makes a passport powerful and why should you care? It’s all about global mobility; the freedom to travel and move around the world, and according to The Passport Index created by Arton Capital, it’s based on the number of countries which grant visa-free access to each passport holder.

Singapore has the world’s second most “powerful” passport, according to a global ranking of the world’s passports. The 2017 Passport Index, released on Thursday (Jan 12), placed Singapore behind Germany and joint-second with Sweden. Coming in joint-third were Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Singaporeans hold the world's second-most powerful passport, according to a Passport Index devised by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital. The index, which was updated on Thursday (Jan 12), saw Germany take first place with a visa-free score of 157, closely followed by Singapore and Sweden which were both ranked second with a visa-free score of 156.

The UAE passport is the most valuable in the GCC, according to a global ranking of the world’s passports. Arton Capital, a financial advisory firm specialising in investor programmes for residence and citizenship, has updated its Passport Index, which ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a "visa-free score" according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.

Arton Capital, the global advisory for residence and citizenship solutions, has updated the Passport Index, the popular global ranking of the world's passports. The Index ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a "visa-free score" according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival. Germany takes the lead with a visa-free score of 157. Singapore overtakes South Korea and becomes the highest ranked Asian passport, with a visa free score of 156, coming second. The UAE is the leading GCC country with a score of 122, followed by Kuwait (81), and Qatar with a score of 77.

A UAE passport is the most valuable of the GCC states, followed by Kuwait and Qatar, according to Arton Capital's latest global ranking.

It's no secret that Irish passports have been in high demand this year, as applications for the desirable document massively increased following the result of Brexit in June 2016. But just how good is an Irish passport really? Seriously though, how does it compare to the other passports of the world? Thanks to the Passport Index, you can actually measure up the different global passports to see how they fare against one another in real time.

The Cypriot passport ranks among the strongest in the world, as holders are able to travel to 146 countries without a visa. According to the updated Passport Index, Cyprus gets a Passport Power Rank of 13, and an Individual Power Rank of 36 globally. Its Global Mobility Score (for visa-free travel) of 146 ranks it above such countries as Lichtenstein, Monaco and Brazil.

The trend of giving is growing with 91% making charitable donations over last year and 83% planning to donate as much, or more, over the next three years. To ensure the support of causes that promise to make a sustainable difference, high-net-worth South Africans should be mindful of their philanthropic efforts, according to the CEO of Old Mutual Wealth, Kerrin Land.

If you have citizenship in Sweden, you have a great deal of traveling power — Swedes can fly to 158 countries without ever showing a visa. This makes international travel cheaper and easier than it is for citizens of many other countries, like those of Afghanistan, who can enter just 24 countries without a visa. These stark differences are revealed in the Passport Index, which ranks countries based on the number of nations where residents can go without purchasing a visa in advance or on arrival. The global financial advisory firm Arton Capital compiled government data from 193 countries and six territories to create the 2016 ranking.

DubaiEye 103.8 Podcast - The Business Breakfast with Malcolm Taylor, Richard Dean and Brandy Scott. John Hanafin, CEO of Arton Capital, updates us on the findings of their latest research on the trend shifts in the giving of the ultra-wealthy.

The world’s very wealthiest people are giving more than ever, reports The Wall Street Journal. Major giving from those with net worths of $30 million or more rose 3% in 2015 from a year earlier, hitting an all-time high. That’s according to a report from consulting group Wealth-X and advisory firm Arton Capital. Of the world’s 212,615 ultra-high-net-worth individuals last year, an estimated 18,500 are “major donors,” meaning they’ve donated at least $1 million to philanthropic causes in their lifetime.

Dubai – MENA Herald: According to a new report on global philanthropy released today, major giving among ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals rose to an all-time high in 2015, growing 3% since 2014. On average, UHNW individuals – those with a net worth of US$30 million or more – will donate US$29.6 million over the course of their lifetimes, with total global UHNW public lifetime giving estimated at US$550 billion.

Younger generations of ultra-affluent individuals are impacting the way in which the overall deep-pocketed population gives to philanthropic causes, according to a new report from Arton Capital and Wealth-X. The Giving Index, which draws from data about UHNW philanthropic participation and giving amounts, grew 3 percent from 2014 to 2015 to an all-time high. Wealth-X’s “Changing Philanthropy: Trend Shifts in Ultra Wealthy Giving,” commissioned by Arton Capital, finds that socially- and environmentally-minded millennials are more open to new business models, establishing philanthropy-centric corporate cultures that put giving at the forefront.

Survey finds 3% increase in major donations in 2015. Ultrawealthy donors are more generous than ever, with the richest of the rich particularly so. Major giving among ultrahigh-net-worth individuals—or those with a net worth of $30 million or more—rose 3% to an all-time high in 2015 from a year earlier, according to a new report. The report was produced by Wealth-X, a consulting group that.

Passport Index is putting the freedom back into travel by listing every country you can visit without a visa. The website, which rose to fame by ranking passports in order of their power, now has a very handy additional feature should you be looking to take an overseas trip.

Theresa May, Britain's new prime minister, declared recently in a speech that "if you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere". Her views have been echoed across the Atlantic, where GOP candidate Donald Trump has vowed to erect a wall between the US and Mexico and "get the Mexicans to pay for it".

Μπορεί το Brexit να πυροδότησε σενάρια ότι οι Βρετανοί θα αναγκαστούν να μπλέξουν στα γρανάζια της γραφειοκρατίας προκειμένου να ταξιδέψουν στο εξωτερικό, όμως το διαβατήριο του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου είναι το δεύτερο πιο ισχυρό στον κόσμο.

German citizens possess the world's most powerful passport, according Arton Capital’s Passport Index, with Britain and the US falling just short of the top spot. The index ranks every passport according to how many countries it allows the holder to enter without a visa.

When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán talks about migrants, he doesn’t usually mince words — unless, that is, they have money. Orbán has made fighting migration his signature policy stance, calling a referendum on the EU’s controversial quota scheme for the relocation of refugees and demanding “total control” over the bloc’s external borders as well as the creation of a “giant refugee city” in Libya to process asylum claims.

Antigua and Barbuda is expecting to see a significant boost in investment and travel from the Middle East. An exclusive exposition style conference is set to take place in October 2016 at Dubai’s Palazzo Versace Hotel highlighting the islands’ exceptional investor and citizenship benefits.

These stark differences are revealed in the Passport Index, which ranks countries based on the number of nations where citizens can go without getting a visa. Global financial advisory firm Arton Capital compiled government data from 193 countries and six territories to create the 2016 ranking.

Την πρώτη θέση παγκοσμίως κατέχει η Κύπρος, μαζί με Γρενάδα και Άγιο Δομίνικο, σε θέματα που άπτονται της πολιτογράφησης πολιτών από την οπτική γωνία των επενδυτών, μετά και από τα νέα κίνητρα που έχουν ανακοινωθεί και, ιδίως, τη μείωση του ύψους της απαιτούμενης επένδυσης από τα 5 εκατ. ευρώ που ίσχυε προηγουμένως, για κάθε άτομο, στα 2,5 εκατ. Η κατάταξη αυτή αφορά σε δείκτη της εταιρείας Arton Capital, που ασχολείται αποκλειστικά με υπηρεσίες που συνδέονται με πολιτογραφήσεις στο πλαίσιο επενδύσεων.

The Cypriot Cabinet yesterday approved significant new changes to the country’s Citizenship by Investment programme.

A new ranking has revealed which nations have the most powerful passports. Passport Index ranks our travel documents by measuring the number of countries that can be visited without applying for a visa.

It turns out that the colour of a passport can actually help to identify sovereign nations. According to Business Insider, countries which are part of the same political or economic organisation usually have the same passport colour.

Passport Index ranked Germany and Sweden as having the most powerful passports in the world.This means they can travel to most countries without having to apply for a visa.

Governments can choose the colour and design they’d like their national travel documents to have

For almost 30 years Britons have travelled the world clutching small burgundy books. But the question of what colour the British passport - for some a symbol of national identity - should be is not an easy one to answer.

You've finally booked that multi-stop trip around the world, have all your travel gear ready to go, and a step-by-step itinerary sketched out—then you panic. "Can I get into Cambodia without a visa?" "Is my Australian travel companion going to be able to breeze through immigration at the same destinations that I will?" Yes, the world of visa regulations—often leading to hours spent surfing impenetrable embassy websites or on the phone with bureaucrats in the capital—can be a confusing place.

Depending on the passport you hold, it can be a breeze to visit another country, or it can be a maddening process that takes months of paperwork, clearance, visits to consulates or embassies, and the risk of getting denied anyway. Passport Map can help you figure out what you’re in for before you plan a trip.

If you often wonder what privileges your nationality grants you around the globe, Passport Index is the only tool you’ll ever need – and it’s oddly fascinating. Built by financial firm Arton Capital, it’s a Web-based interactive encyclopedia that will tell you everything you need to know about the rights your passport entitles you to.

Hundreds of thousands of wealthy investors have poured money into Europe in recent years in return for "golden visas" that give them the right to live in the EU. Brexit could cut that flow of cash.

The coveted British passport is losing its luster in the eyes of many U.K. residents and foreigners following Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Even before the referendum, demand for an Irish passport was soaring – in the months up to May, applications were up 14% on the same period in 2015. In the wake of the EU referendum result, Google searches for ‘Irish passport’ from the UK rocketed by more than 100%.

South Africans are often frustrated with the complex and costly visa requirements for Europe and the US, but there are actually 58 countries they can travel to visa-free and another 32 that only require visa on arrival – all of which is illustrated on the upgraded Passport Index by Arton Capital.

Research by financial advisory firm, Arton Capital, places the UAE passport as most powerful in the GCC in terms of visa-free travel, but many expats still face difficulties making trips abroad.  

According to immigration advisory firm Arton Capital, which created the Passport Index, the rankings serve to understand and visualise the power of each passport on the holder’s identity, opportunity, mobility and overall quality of life.

Arton Capital’s Passport Index, announced on Wednesday, ranks countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can travel to without a visa or with a visa on arrival.

The Qatari passport has been ranked the 51st most powerful in the world, according to the latest Passport Index released by residency and citizenship solutions firm, Arton Capital. Qatar has a visa-free score of 75 and an individual ranking of 97.

This year's Passport Index, compiled by the financial advisory company Arton Capital, placed the UAE passport at 60 in the list, with Emirati's eligible for visa-free entry to 80 countries and visas on arrival at 40 more.

UAE's passport has been, yet again, ranked as the most powerful passport in the Gulf region, according to the latest edition of Arton Capital's Passport Index - a ranking system to reveal the benefits of each passport from around the world.  

"Ultra-high net worth" Emirati philanthropists donate an average of $10.2 million each over the course of their lifetime, according to a report.The UAE was ranked in the top 11 countries for donations by study authors Wealth-X and Arton Capital. But they and the UNHCR said claimed more is needed in light of the global refugee crisis.

Ultra-wealthy Emirati philanthropists donate an average $10.2 million each over the course of their lifetime, according to a new report by Wealth-X and Arton Capital.

Emirati ultra high-net-worth, or UHNW, philanthropists donate on average $10.2 million per person over the course of their lifetime as super rich across the globe gave away $112 billion in 2014, a new research has revealed. According to the report by Wealth-X and Arton Capital, UHNW individuals globally donate $112 billion to charity each year, about 18 per cent of total philanthropic giving, which was just over $625 billion. Billionaires are responsible for a large share of this giving, donating $75 billion annually.

Some of the wealthiest Emiratis donate more than US$10 million each over the course of their lives, a study has found. These ultra-wealthy philanthropists are defined as those who have net assets of at least $30m.The global figure for such individuals is $28.7m, the report by Wealth-X, a global wealth intelligence provider and Arton Capital, an international financial advisory showed yesterday.

While politicians continue to spar over the best way to handle the refugee crisis, many of the world’s wealthiest people have already come to an agreement on how to aptly address the situation. They’re opening up their wallets to provide food, shelter and security.

America's billionaire entrepreneurs give, on average, US$179.5 million per person to various causes during their lifetimes — more than any other ultra high net worth (UHNW) donor group — according to a new report by Wealth-X and Arton Capital that also looked at the giving trends of ultra wealthy individuals and how the wealthy are currently giving back to the refugee crisis.

Self-made billionaires in the U.S. are giving the most to charity, donating on average $179.5 million per person over their lifetime, according to a new study. In contrast, the typical ultra high net worth (UHNW) philanthropist worldwide gives $28.7 million over his or her lifetime.

Country in the Caribbean Sea has launched a new citizenship programme, giving South African millionaires another passport and residence option.

A new citizenship-by-investment programme was launched by the Caribbean island Saint Lucia, opening for applications on 1 January, 2016.

Saint Lucia’s first citizenship by investment programme was announced last week at Arton Capital’s 3rd Annual Global Citizenship Forum, by the country’s Prime Minister & Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning & Social Security, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony.

The UAE passport has risen in the ranks of a global passport index following the announcement of visa-free travel for Emiratis to Europe last week. The passport jumped from 47th place to 31st in Arton Capital’s Passport Index, placing it first among countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.

UAE nationals can now travel to 104 countries, pushing the country’s ranking on Arton Capital’s Passport Index to 31.

How much is a passport worth? People can secure the rights to live in another country through a growing trade in ‘economic citizenship’ around the world, and much of that demand is from the Middle East.

How “powerful” is your passport? This is the question that the folks at Arton Capital have set out to answer. Arton, an advisory firm that helps people take part in citizenship and residency programs for investors, has created the Passport Index, which ranks travel documents based on how many countries their holders can visit without having to obtain a visa in advance.

Passports are often considered an indicator of a country’s prowess as it points to the amount of travel freedom that its citizens enjoy.

Welcher Reisepass ist der mächtigste Welt? Diese Frage hat die Finanzberatungsfirma Arton Capital in einem Ranking beantwortet. Kriterium dabei: In welches Land können Reisepass-Inhaber ganz ohne Visum oder mit einem leicht zu beschaffenden Visum einreisen.

A passport from a country on good diplomatic terms with its peers is a powerful tool, allowing holders to travel across borders with ease.

Deutschen steht die Welt offen, Burmesen oder Äthiopier dagegen haben erhebliche Visa-Einschränkungen. In einem Vergleich aller Reisepässe schneiden vor allem europäische Staaten sehr gut ab - und drei asiatische Länder.

Si vous aimez les passeports, leurs couleurs, les pictogrammes exotiques et sigles étranges qui apparaissent en couverture, vous aimerez sûrement passer un peu de temps sur le site Passeport Index, qui recense les documents de presque tous les pays au monde.

Visa requirements are an interesting but overlooked indicator of international relations. Most countries require non-nationals to get visas before they enter their borders, but the requirements can differ a lot.

Το Passport Index είναι ένα διαδραστικό εργαλείο, το οποίο συλλέγει, ταξινομεί και εμφανίζει τα διαβατήρια του κόσμου.

Arton Capital's ‘Passport Index’ is an interactive website which “collects, displays and ranks the passports of the world."

‘Passport Index’ is an interactive online tool that “collects, displays and ranks the passports of the world”. Arranged neatly according to a ‘power ranking’, the website shows you how powerful a country’s passport is.

Browse the world's passports by color, country, and most crucially, how many countries citizens can travel to without a visa.

Global immigrant investment company, Arton Capital, has ranked Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment programme first in the region in its recently published semi-annual update of its Arton Index – the industry benchmark for global residence and citizenship programmes as perceived by investors.

As some areas of the Middle East lurch deeper into political tumult, wealth managers, law firms and financial brokers are earning big money as they advise on and manage the wealth of Arabs seeking citizenship in other countries through investment programmes.

"Wealthy people are looking for safe places to relocate in case of crisis," said Armand Arton, chief executive of Arton Capital for CNN Business news.

Government leaders and immigrant experts from Canada, the Caribbean, US and Europe gathered in Toronto for the second annual Global Citizenship Forum

"Chinese have traditionally dominated residency programs and they will now start to dominate the programs for citizenship over the next five years, because some countries are limiting Chinese applications,” predicts Armand Arton, CEO, Arton Capital.

The Global Residence and Citizenship Council (GRCC) is a new body that has been established that will deal with, among other things, transparency in the migration industry.

Some of the most accessible citizenship programmes in the world are offered by countries in the Caribbean. And some of these programmes have just become even more accessible.

Wealth-X accepts the founding chair position for the newly-announced industry association. The non-partisan, not-for-profit body will address the opportunities and challenges of the movement of global citizens, which has intensified in the last decade.

"The Global Residence and Citizenship Council will protect the reputation of the industry and serve as solid ground for the development and maintenance of best industry practices," Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital, one of the founding members and the brainchild behind the council.

Forty percent of donations from ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the United States goes toward educational causes, according to a report by Wealth-X and Arton Capital.

The suspension of the Canadian Federal Investor Programme and a cap on the Quebec Immigrant scheme has given rise to demand for the EB-5 visa, and now investment banks are looking to cash in.

Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston A. Browne has told international business executives, politicians and academics in Toronto, Canada that his government has identified tourism development and financial services as priority investment sectors.

The Wealth-X and Arton Capital Major Giving Index, which tracks trends in UHNW charitable giving, rose to 220 in 2013 - the highest level since the global financial crisis, and only 12 points below the all-time high of 232 set in 2006.

Philanthropy has evolved and expanded, adding that not only are the ultra affluent donating money to various institutions, they are also increasingly using their specific expertise to improve the lives of others.

A two-day Global Citizen forum in Toronto has attracted a wealth of political leaders and industry magnates who are interested in the hottest of alternative investment options.

Charitable giving by the rich has almost bounced back to pre-crisis levels, and some $86 billion in bequests are expected over the next 10 years.

Much of the world’s wealth is controlled by a pretty small pool of people and getting them do to some good with all that cash is what an unusual conference in Toronto is all about.

Details regarding Quebec Investor Programme explained by Armand Arton, president and CEO, Arton Capital.

The intake dates of the new Investor’s Programme of the Canadian province Quebec have been announced. Applications will be accepted from January 5 to January 30, 2015.

According to a recent report by Arton Capital and Wealth-X, estimates that 6 percent of second passport applications are from Russians. The reasons for exploring this avenue remains specific to the individual but it is likely to be the draw of Immigrant Investor Programs and Citizenship by Investment Programs that attract them to consider dual residence and citizenship.

The decision to terminate the 25-year-old Canadian Immigrant Investment Program (IIP), which attracted global entrepreneurs and investors from China and the Middle East, will benefit the European Union most, according to immigration experts.

The key to citizenship by investment is the long-term ties it creates is something that’s passed through generations - not only the business of the investor will be involved in with the country but the business of his children and grandchildren.

Prime ministers, government officials, international minds and industry leaders will gather at the Four Seasons in Toronto to share their vision on global citizenship. The future of global migration governance will be challenged and discussed by policy makers, industry leaders, and business strategists.

Having a bona fide passport is a must for every businessman with a commercial activity in a foreign country. But attaining a second citizenship can certainly proliferate your personal and economic freedom.

Straitened economic times have brought a new lease of life to a well-established concept: investor visas. Cash-strapped governments looking for more ways to shore up their tax base and international investors seeking more global opportunities.

The Report "A Shrinking World: Global Citizenship for UHNW Individuals" conducted by Wealth-X, a leading UHNW prospecting and intelligence firm, and Arton Capital, global citizenship experts, offers a closer analysis of this trend, comparing various investment immigration schemes and exploring the reasons driving UHNW individuals to change citizenships or apply for a second one.

Armand Arton, the CEO and founder of Arton Capital about financial industry, creativity and how to think outside the box. “The philanthropy side of finance is how it can be used for the greater good”.

In the wake of global financial crisis, countries are realizing the potential value of offering their residence and citizenship to foreign investors in return for hefty investments that will boost their ailing economies.

Mr. Firas Kaysi, Vice President at Arton Capital, discussing Wealth-X and Arton Capital's report "A Shrinking World: Global Citizenship for UHNW Individuals" (in Arabic).

A major reshuffle of the highly anticipated Investors Programme of the Canadian province of Quebec is in the making and is soon to be announced. The changes are expected to lead to a bigger time frame for applications, but may mean more pressure on applicants to submit the correct documentation.

The countdown is on, with just a month to go before the United States’ Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) goes live on July 1. Aimed at curbing tax evasion by American citizens, an estimated 26,000 foreign financial institutions (FFIs) around the world will have to be FATCA compliant or be shut out of the US financial system.

Countries are realising the potential of offering citizenship and residence to foreign investors to boost their economic stature. CNBC Africa speaks to Armand Arton, CEO, Arton Capital for more.

Imagine a world free of visas, application fees, long queues at customs and intimidating officials: a world where as a global citizen you can choose where you want to live and work. With R10-million the world can indeed be your oyster.

For all the instability on its western banks, the Middle East had a good 2013 when it comes to individual wealth. Second citizenship offers greater stability and security, tax efficiency and ease of travel, among other benefits, say experts.

Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis inaugurated the launch of Arton Capital’s operations in Turkey at a gala dinner co-hosted by Arton Capital and Sen International in Istanbul.

Increasing numbers of the wealthy global elite are saying goodbye to their home country and taking up residence elsewhere in an effort to preserve their riches.

The ultra-rich from around the world find plenty of opportunities in the investment programmes of Europe, where both residency and citizenship would automatically lead to visa-free travel across the Schengen zone.

Antigua & Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) has been ranked as the sixth most attractive in a new global report.

American singer Tina Turner enjoy the benefits of global citizenship programmes, renouncing her US passports to live in Switzerland. But the ultra-rich in the Middle East stand to gain even more from a second citizenship than merely a nice view and some tax perks.

A recent uptick in the number of wealthy people from the Middle East seeking second citizenships as insurance policies against political instability has been well documented. Just shy of 60% of the world’s super-wealthy who apply for second citizenships come from the region.

The joint study between Wealth-X and Arton Capital found that Lebanon, Egypt and Pakistan had the highest number of Ultra High Net Worth second citizenship applicants, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the global total.

The ideal world is a place without boundaries and limitation — where people can live and move freely and as they please, says Armand Arton, President and CEO of Arton Capital

Arton Capital, has opened its first African office in Cape Town, to facilitate citizenship acquisition in Africa, as well as in select European, Caribbean and North American countries.

The business people from South Africa who have investments in selected European, Caribbean and North American states can now use their investments to obtain citizenship there and access more than 100 other countries without visas.

Owning a foreign passport has become a relatively painless process for many of the world’s high net-worth individuals who are seeking second citizenships for various reasons, including flexible investments options, wealth and estate planning or even just the freedom to travel.

Updated statistics from the US State Department show that 6,124 Chinese applicants obtained the EB-5 visa, a type of investment immigration visa to the US, in 2012, nearly eight times the number who did so in 2010.

Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong are currently the hot landing spots for billionaires wishing to take up a new residence.

It's a hot new trend called "jurisdiction shopping," according to a survey by UBS and Wealth-X published last month.

Arton Capital empowers individuals and families to become global citizens.

Global Citizen Forum on Bloomberg.

Review on the industry around the globe related to second citizenship investor programs.

Global Citizen Forum 2013 was held on September 12, 2013 at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE.

Global Citizen Forum 2013 was held on September 12, 2013 at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE.

Property developers in the Caribbean Island of St Kitts are benefiting from rising demand from Middle East investors seeking visa-free travel perks. “The freedom to travel the world visa-free is a key element,” said Armand Arton, the president and chief executive of Arton Capital.

Countries have become brands, and brands that strategically connect with stakeholders enjoy foreign investment, said Armand Arton, CEO and president of Arton Capital during the GCF 2013, Dubai.

The Global Citizen Forum, which is a platform for exchange between all relevant Global Citizen stakeholders in an effort to build awareness, educate and promote the concept as a way of life, is set to take place for the first time in Dubai.

For foreigners, the EB-5 presents a relatively safe and attractive investment model, but more importantly, it provides the means to a passport over a five-year period, explained Nicolas Salerno, VP of Arton Capital.

Due to the decline of the traditional sugar and banana exporting industries, many cash strapped Caribbean islands have been resorting to an unusual and controversial method to raise revenue - offering citizenship.

In the past five years, political and economic conditions in the Middle East and North Africa, such as the financial crises of 2008 and of course the Arab Spring, were the key factors explaining the phenomenal increase of demand for residency and citizenship by investment programs.

Immigrant investment programs in St. Kitts and Nevis are boosting the country’s economy while also offering new citizens many travel and tax benefits.

The current immigrant investor program is serving as an advantage over other immigrant programs hence it is expected that its intake might reach the limits within the few months.

The federal government is set to clarify how it will deal with applications for investor-class immigration to Canada from Iran.